294 A HISTORY OF GARDENING IN ENGLAND. 



Loudon, Henslow, Sowerby, and the great Darwin himself, and 

 many others, it is impossible to speak, but it is to these great 

 men that the wonderful progress of this century is due, to say 

 nothing of the men still living who are looked up to with 

 respect and admiration by the practical gardeners in this 

 close of the nineteenth century, not only in England itself 

 but throughout her vast dominions. 



In England a garden appears to have been attached even to the 

 humblest home. As early as in Tudor times the peasant tried to 

 grow an few plants around his cottage door ; and many an old 

 cottage is still covered with a vine that has stood there for 

 centuries, and man}- an apple tree has born its ruddy crops year 

 by year undisturbed, while the gardens of the more imposing 

 mansions hard by have passed away. Of late years the desire to 

 cultivate again some of the old-fashioned plants which had been 

 discarded, has led many to search for them in cottage gardens, 

 and thus numerous treasures have been found which had for long 

 remained hidden in some retired spot. The fruit and vegetables 

 now grown by cottagers are often an example to their more 

 wealthy but less skilful neighbours. In coldest winter, it is 

 wonderful to see the bright masses of flowers in their cottage 

 windows. Even in the towns the poor man tries to have some 

 plants to " serve him with a hint that nature lives." 



" Mark the dim windows ye shall pass 

 And see the petted myrtle here ; 

 While there upraised in tinted glass, 

 The curling hyacinths appear. 



The gay geranium in its pride, 

 Looks out to kiss the scanty gleam ; 

 And rosebud nurslings by its side, 

 Are gently brought to share the beam. 



Hands with their daily bread to gain 

 May oft be seen at twilight hour. 

 Decking their dingy garret pane 

 With wreathing stem or sickly flower." 



Eliza Cook. 



The Italian style of design, which was the prevailing one 

 by the middle of this century, was easily adapted to suit the 

 new florist flowers which were then rapidly increasing. The 



